Territorian Taj Murray selected for 2025 Allies squad
A top Territorian talent will don the Allies jumper next month following a string of standout performances for the Territory. Read how he’s been performing.
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Nightcliff Tigers junior Taj Murray will don the Allies jumper next month following a string of standout performances that has him recognised among the top AFL Draft prospects.
The 18-year-old, 201cm ruckman has stood out early in the 2025 Coates Talent League season with his strong, athletic presence across the centre of the ground.
His performances for the NT include a 17 hit out, six tackle and nine disposal game against the Calder Cannons and 15 disposals, 29 hit outs and eight marks against the Murray Bushrangers.
Then he showed what he could do in front of his home fans in Darwin with 11 disposals, four marks, three tackles and a match high 22 hit out showing against the Western Jets.
His selection also follows impressive outings for the Australian under 18s side earlier this year, where he tested himself against senior opposition from the Richmond and Coburg VFL teams.
Murray was rated one of the top 75 prospects from across the country ahead of the 2025 AFL Draft with his impressive skills and mobility in and out of the contest drawing recognition.
The Allies squad brings together elite under-18 talent from the ACT, New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania and the Northern Territory.
The side is set down for four matches from June 1 to July 13 as part of the national championships with matches against South Australia, Western Australia, Victoria Country and Victoria Metro.
Meanwhile, the match against the Western Jets was the first time the NT hosted a Coates Talent League match since 2022
The Territory side was in the fight for the majority of the match and four unanswered goals in the third quarter with strong showings from Waylon Davey and Adrian Scott had them in the contest.
However, the Jets enjoyed a late surge with a run of seven consecutive goals to make it a 32-point win at the match end.
Murray, Scott and Davey were among the standouts with the latter two scoring three goals each while the likes of Kalen Russell and Hau-Tze Rock had plenty of influence.
Taj Stanley topped the stats for the campaign as a whole with 21 disposals and five tackles per game while Clay Shadforth proved his scoring threat with four goals.
NT Talent head coach Dale Eames said his side had made significant strides over the past 12 months despite the challenges of limited time training together.
“The boys showed real growth, cutting 23 goals off our losing margins across the first two games in Melbourne compared to last year,” he said.
“We were especially excited to return home and play in front of a local crowd at TIO Stadium facing a side that beat us by 149 points in 2024.
“We led at three-quarter time and pushed them all the way, although the result didn’t go our way, the improvement was undeniable.
“I couldn’t be prouder of this group. Their commitment, growth, and pride in the jumper were on full display.”
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